Dying Aspens

I love aspens. They are one of the coolest things about living in the West. The shimmering sound they make as their leaves quake in the breeze is magic. They are also cool because of how they grow. They sprout suckers from these huge interconnected root systems, making aspen groves one of planet's largest organisims.

The mystery is, why are so many dying (Scientists Say Aspens Are Dying Out West)? My fear is that human activity may be to blame. Many of the theories suggested can be drawn back to man.

• fungus - climate change may have made the stands more vulnerable.
• drought - again climate change.
• human interference with the natural cycle of forest fires.
• resurgent herds of hungry elk nibbling saplings to death - caused by lack of their natural predator.